Spanos said the frosty relationship between Schottenheimer and
general manager A. J. Smith had become "untenable" and was
"dysfunctional." This reversal came after Spanos stressed three
days following the playoff loss to New England that the two
head-strong men could work together.

While Schottenheimer last month declined an extension through
the 2008 season, many speculated his job was secure through 2007.
Especially with the AFC West champion Chargers coming off a
franchise-best regular-season mark of 14-2.

"I thought that was all done after the season," said Phillips,
of the January announcement to move forward with
Schottenheimer.

Brian Stewart, the team's secondary coach, was in the Chargers'
offices Monday and saw Schottenheimer. If Schottenheimer knew he
was gone, Stewart said he did a good job of hiding it.

"Everything seemed fine with him," Stewart said. "And I guess we
all thought everything was fine.

"Then I get a call from a friend who was watching a basketball
game and it said Marty had been fired. I said, 'What?' "

Chargers left tackle Roman Oben echoed Stewart's reaction.

"It's definitely a shock because there was an assumption that
Marty's position was safe," Oben said.

Now with Schottenheimer out, a Chargers Nation hopes Spanos is
making the right call.

Those steeped in Chargers history recall two years after the
Chargers reached their lone Super Bowl to cap the 1994 season,
Spanos sided with general manager Bobby Beathard in a power
struggle with coach Bobby Ross. Ross was forced out after going 8-8
in 1996.

The fallout from Spanos' decision was significant as the
Chargers failed to make the playoffs the next seven seasons.

Oben said the players will rally around the recent verdict
delivered by Spanos.

"We have to have confidence that Mr. Spanos' difficult decision
will ultimately result in bringing in a coach that will get our
team to an NFL championship," Oben said.

Spanos' heart told his head the partnership of Schottenheimer
and Smith wouldn't reach that goal.

"It was not a good working relationship," he said, "and I made a
decision to move on."